RoadVitals

1996 Isuzu Trooper

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
51
Latest Jun 3, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jun 3, 1997
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
1 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 51 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Isuzu Trooper, most frequently naming the suspension, transmission and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 9 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
97V092001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jun 3, 1997
6,667 units potentially affected
The defect: THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY AT THE ASSEMBLY LINE RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND AN UPPER CONTROL ARM OF THE SUSPENSION.
The risk: THE LINE CAN BE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND CAN RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. IF THE CLEARANCE IS NOT ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS, THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.
ISUZU MOTORS LIMITEDView on NHTSA.gov
96V248001

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Dec 12, 1996
2,345 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AN INCORRECT REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY BUCKLE. THE MISBUILD INVOLVED FITTING A BUCKLE FOR ANOTHER MARKET WITH THE CORRECT U.S. SPECIFICATION SEAT BELT.
The risk: SUCH INSTALLATION RESULTS IN A REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE BELT TONGUE CANNOT BE INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE AND A CONSQUENT INABILITY OF THE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE PROPER OCCUPANT RESTRAINT DURING PANIC BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE OR AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT TONGUE AND BUCKLE AND INCORRECT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.
ISUZU MOTORS LIMITEDView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP96011OpenDefect Petition

RISK OF ROLLOVER

Opened Aug 20, 1996

CU ATTORNEY (NANCY PERKINS, ARNOLD & PORTER) AND ODI AGREED THAT AN EXTENSION IN THE PETITION REVIEW PROCESS WILL BE NECESSARY TO ALLOW ODI TIME TO CONDUCT A PROPER REVIEW OF THE NEW MATERIAL SUBMITTED BY CU ON DECEMBER 23, 1996.THEREFORE, THE NEW DUE DATE WILL BE APRIL 21, 1997.CONSUMERS UNION (CU) PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE 1995 AND 1996 MODEL ISUZU TROOPER AND ACURA SLX VEHICLES ARE DEFECTIVE WITHIN THE MEANING OF 49 U.S. C. CHAPTER 301.SPECIFICALLY, CU ALLEGED THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED A DANGEROUS PROPENSITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ROLL OVER WHILE PERFORMING A DYNAMIC STEERING MANEUVER TO AVOID EMERGANCY SITUATIONS.

STRUCTURE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 51
Fuel systemSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 3, 2017

IT IS A STRONG VEHICLE GOOD PERFORMANCE BUT THE FRAME DOES NOT SUPPORT ENOUGH PROBLEMS WITH THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE ON THE ROADS OR IN EMERGENCY MANEUVERS ALONG THE WAY. DUE TO CORROSION AND RUPTURE IN THE CHASSIS SPECIFICALLY IN THE CONNECTIONS WITH THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS. (POOR QUALITY STEEL) ANOTHER POINT IS A SMELL OF FUEL AND SPILLAGE, BY THE FUEL TANK. (FIRE RISK) ALL THESE CONDITIONS RESULT IN RISK MANAGEMENT, LOOSE VEHICLE CONTROL AND ROLLOVER POSSIBILITY.

NHTSA ID
10993016
Incident
Sep 30, 2016
Mileage
124,567 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 1, 2014

THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND FALLING OFF IN CHUNKS. I DIDN'T GET AN INSPECTION DONE IN JAN 2013 BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THE YEAR BEFORE THAT THE RUST IS GETTING BAD. OTHER THAN THE FRAME, THE VEHICLE IS IN OUTSTANDING CONDITION. IT ISN'T A SAFE VEHICLE. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10576400
Incident
Dec 31, 2012
Mileage
72,075 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 19, 2009

THE ACCELERATOR STICKS. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO CUT THE IGNITION. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 92-95 MODELS, HOWEVER, MINE IS A 96 MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10259379
Incident
Feb 14, 2009
Mileage
180,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 14, 2003

TIRE DELAMINATION. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10014384
Incident
Mar 15, 2003
Mileage
118,500 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 17, 2003

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING HAVING PROBLEM WITH FUEL RAILS. DEALER INSTALL THE WRONG HOSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
10004176
Airbags
Filed Jan 29, 2002
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING AROUND 25 MPH , CONSUMERS VEHICLE BROADSIDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STTED THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.*SLC

NHTSA ID
8003087
Incident
Jan 26, 2002
Transmission
Filed Dec 3, 2001

I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM W/ANTIFREEZE SMELL, I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO SHOP SEVERAL TIMES THE LAST HAVING A HOSE TO THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED WHICH SEEMED TO TEMPORARILY REMOVE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR BUT THE SMELL IS COMING BACK. IT TOOK THREE VISITS TO FIND IT THE FIRST TIME.. *AK

NHTSA ID
755233
Incident
Dec 3, 2001
EngineTransmissionVisibility
Filed Apr 25, 2001

2 LEAKING O-RINGS IN THE WATER OUTLET NECK OF THE CORE CAUSED THE ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FEEL SICK, RADIATOR LEAKING FROM THE SEAM AT THE TANK NLM

NHTSA ID
560919

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

IB13-R-001G

This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this bulletin is repaired under warranty and may also be used for radio and component repairs not covered under warranty. Contact Alpine directly for pricing and payment methods applicable to radio and component repairs not covered under warranty.

WB13-X-001B

EQUIPMENT

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts Warranty claim payments and/or claim chargeback. This bulletin was revised to add a Parts Warranty Form

WB13-X-001A

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts Warranty claim payments and/or claim chargeback.

0305S001

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT

0205S003

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). *TT

SB9914S007

SEATS

INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHOR KIT. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Isuzu Trooper by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002120033.3
2001291038.1
2000492049.2
1999810038.5
1998421042.1
1997132044.7
1996Viewing512154.0
1995541154.9
1994472053.3
1993332050.3
1992252159.7
1991573569.4
1990233668.9
1989161547.6
1988172563.4
1987636—
1986182657.0
1985315—
1984014—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.